For eight fulfilling seasons, HBO’s Entourage has not only held the attention of millions of viewers, but has maintained a die hard fan base since the beginning. From a plethora of celebrity guests, relatable, real life situations and witty uncensored banter; this show has been compared to Sex and the City…for dudes.
The show is loosely based on executive producer Mark Wahlberg’s life as a struggling actor, trying to break out of his good vibrations and sagging pants, and have main stream media take him a little more seriously; as a respected actor and not just the leader of the funky bunch. After seven years and numerous Emmy nominations, the show has come to an end, and rumors of a feature film are in the works.
These episodes open with their theme song; a catchy, low-fi enhanced Janes Addiction tune (superhero) that is just as engaging as it is fitting for the opener. Flashing Hollywood lights, rolling credits and the four protagonists driving through LA in a classic American Muscle car sets the scene and emulates their “too cool” attitudes.
The show centers around A-list celebrity Vincent Chase, who is publicly known as not only a talented young actor, but a modern day playboy with an addiction for women and sex. The ongoing joke for eight seasons is that his three friends, who are in Hollywood with him for “moral support” have been riding on his coat tails and basically taking advantage of his newly achieved fame.
Vinny Chase’s brother, dubbed Johnny Drama for his arrogant attitude and instigating behavior is a D-list celebrity, trying like hell to be as critically acclaimed and smooth as his brother. Then, there is Turtle, slightly overweight and a real New York swagger to him, smokes a lot of pot and was given the job of “personal chauffeur” to Vincent Chase. Directly translating to driving Vinny around because this Queens kid didn’t have a drivers license.
Lastly, there is Eric, “E”. The best friend, the right hand man, and the voice of reason. Essentially, the glue who holds everyone together in these times of struggle. Within every show there is some high stress situation involving the careers of Vincent Chase and how he can continue to flourish as a young actor. Which brings us to the most entertaining character of this comedy series; agency director Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven).
Ari’s blood pressure is visibly through the roof, he is racially degrading, sexually explicit, always sweating and downright nasty through majority of the show. In retrospect, without Ari Gold, the show would have an un-fillable void, devout of 75% of the comedic value.
Four single, relatively successful men, living in a big city without any real sense of direction. The main focus’s being money, sex, and popularity in Hollywood. No wonder the Sex and the City comparisons are not few and far between.
However vile, and offensive some of the language and “adult” situations are throughout this show; the demographic targets an equal array of people. Its’ comedic value is abundantly clear, as well as its minimum two celebrity guest star appearances per episode, outstanding catchy and underground soundtrack and its new endorsement deals with Nike. Pat yourselves on the back!
As of September 19, only days after the season finale of the show, The producers divulged that the Entourage movie, will in fact be happening sooner than later. The series ended on a truly positive note as all the characters got back what they had been struggling for. Mended marriages, new jobs, new money and a whole lot of new potential drama is more than enough material to get through two hours of film.
Right now there has only been talk of the Entourage movie, but Wahlberg expresses to IMDB that the wheels are turning and “it better happen”.
Over the course of eight seasons, Entourage has had roughly 25 Emmy nominations, not only for acting but for writing and directing, and Jeremy Piven and Kevin Dillon won awards for their outstanding comedic performances. The show has been critically acclaimed for its realism and character development over the years, displaying relatable situations and personalities.
These are the four kids from Queens you knew growing up in your neighborhood. The kids who have been close since kinder garden; who you played kick ball with in the middle of the street over the summer. The kids whose mothers on Sunday dinner expected you there, sitting at the table with them. The sense of unity and values that is displayed within these four boys is not only refreshing; but its like watching how you and your friends act together.. Only your sitting at home paying $60 a month for HBO, while your fake friends are multi millionaires.
Well done, gentlemen.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Take That, Wall Street
My generation might be salvagable; twenty somethings are not only protesting corporate greed..but they are passionately picketing and will not budge.
Occupy Wall Street is something that is effecting everything and everyone. The sheer fact that people are trying to take away our right to freedom of expression and protest violates not only the first ammendment but what our nation stands for: liberty.
Finally, our attention is being torn away from celebrity gossip and our energy is focused on an issue that truly matters. There is a picture of a seven year old girl on the Washington Post online site. She is holding a sign that says, "There is a 99% chance that you are one of us, even if you don't know it yet". I'm sure that she has no idea what she is holding in her hand, picketing in a park for countless hours with her parents and thousands of strangers. But she, in fact is one of those who is affected.
Don't take away our right to protest, assemble, and obtain knowledge about the truth. This is only making us stronger, aware and unified.
Occupy Wall Street is something that is effecting everything and everyone. The sheer fact that people are trying to take away our right to freedom of expression and protest violates not only the first ammendment but what our nation stands for: liberty.
Finally, our attention is being torn away from celebrity gossip and our energy is focused on an issue that truly matters. There is a picture of a seven year old girl on the Washington Post online site. She is holding a sign that says, "There is a 99% chance that you are one of us, even if you don't know it yet". I'm sure that she has no idea what she is holding in her hand, picketing in a park for countless hours with her parents and thousands of strangers. But she, in fact is one of those who is affected.
Don't take away our right to protest, assemble, and obtain knowledge about the truth. This is only making us stronger, aware and unified.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Talk Nerdy To Me
First of all, meeting a "respectable" suitor in my age demographic is not only virtually impossible; but it is exhausting. Here are some tips I have gathered from friends, family members, and personal experience dealing with the drunken, 25 year old male.
Meeting someone in a bar is threatening. Single people go to bars to hook up; get loose, silly. Not to have meaningful conversation over a bud light. A friend once told me she met her fiance at a whole foods. They grabbed the same bag of dried lentils. I nearly gagged on the mental image.
Girls always know when you're staring at our "lady parts", so please, in the seven minutes it will take you to ask for my number and a variety of other interview questions; make eye contact. Pay attention. That's the only way we are going to answer your text message is if you at least pretend you're truly interested.
It doesn't matter how much a girl may seem to be "one of the guys". We are all sensitive, scared little rabbits who would rather be worshiped than made fun of. So if you are still into the kinder garden style of flirting (you know, you tease the one you have a crush on), get over it, it is not getting you anywhere. Women would rather be called pretty than "dude".
I could probably go on for pages ranting about the things man children do to try to coerce women into the sick world of dating, but these are just a few that stick out on a regular basis.
Chances are, if you are honest and upfront from the beginning, the possibilities of a first date are more than you started with.
Meeting someone in a bar is threatening. Single people go to bars to hook up; get loose, silly. Not to have meaningful conversation over a bud light. A friend once told me she met her fiance at a whole foods. They grabbed the same bag of dried lentils. I nearly gagged on the mental image.
Girls always know when you're staring at our "lady parts", so please, in the seven minutes it will take you to ask for my number and a variety of other interview questions; make eye contact. Pay attention. That's the only way we are going to answer your text message is if you at least pretend you're truly interested.
It doesn't matter how much a girl may seem to be "one of the guys". We are all sensitive, scared little rabbits who would rather be worshiped than made fun of. So if you are still into the kinder garden style of flirting (you know, you tease the one you have a crush on), get over it, it is not getting you anywhere. Women would rather be called pretty than "dude".
I could probably go on for pages ranting about the things man children do to try to coerce women into the sick world of dating, but these are just a few that stick out on a regular basis.
Chances are, if you are honest and upfront from the beginning, the possibilities of a first date are more than you started with.
Hip Hop is Dead
I feel something is horribly wrong when a convicted felon with diamond teeth and a fourth grade education declares himself "best rapper alive".
Yes, Lil' Wayne, again I am calling you out.
No matter how many times, and how many interviews you stress that it simply "ain't about the money, fame, or the bitches" (by the way, we love that, really), your lyrics and over all presence say nothing more, or less.
What happened to hip hop?
By 1988 there was a new wave of musical expression. It was angry, violent, racist and above all; passionate. I feel rap music today has become effortless and lazy. There is a whole new different set of priorities and its all about product placement and money.
Groups like NWA and Public Enemy raised the bar for hip hop. They gave everyone a reason to be angry and to disrespect authority. It was punk rock for black kids.
Now? You have stale, monotonous "rap mogul's" such as Drake; who continue to stress how hardcore and tough they are, when, forgive me, Drake was on the Teen Nickolodeon sitcom Degrassi, where he played a handicapped high school football player for about three seasons.
Your street cred just plummeted below ground level my friend.
How do people forget Mos Def? Not only is the man multi talented and educated but he does everything with purpose and motivation. He was one of the main spokesmen for hurricane Katrina, has written and published spoken word poetry for the last ten years, acted in various roles from Broadway to HBO, yet he, god forbid is someone who MTV keeps under the radar.
We can congradulate Mos Def all we want, but he is not selling out arenas, stirring up controversy or going to jail for drugs and weapon possession, so mainstream media wants nothing to do with him.
Essentially, hip hop with purpose is costing us money.
Yes, Lil' Wayne, again I am calling you out.
No matter how many times, and how many interviews you stress that it simply "ain't about the money, fame, or the bitches" (by the way, we love that, really), your lyrics and over all presence say nothing more, or less.
What happened to hip hop?
By 1988 there was a new wave of musical expression. It was angry, violent, racist and above all; passionate. I feel rap music today has become effortless and lazy. There is a whole new different set of priorities and its all about product placement and money.
Groups like NWA and Public Enemy raised the bar for hip hop. They gave everyone a reason to be angry and to disrespect authority. It was punk rock for black kids.
Now? You have stale, monotonous "rap mogul's" such as Drake; who continue to stress how hardcore and tough they are, when, forgive me, Drake was on the Teen Nickolodeon sitcom Degrassi, where he played a handicapped high school football player for about three seasons.
Your street cred just plummeted below ground level my friend.
How do people forget Mos Def? Not only is the man multi talented and educated but he does everything with purpose and motivation. He was one of the main spokesmen for hurricane Katrina, has written and published spoken word poetry for the last ten years, acted in various roles from Broadway to HBO, yet he, god forbid is someone who MTV keeps under the radar.
We can congradulate Mos Def all we want, but he is not selling out arenas, stirring up controversy or going to jail for drugs and weapon possession, so mainstream media wants nothing to do with him.
Essentially, hip hop with purpose is costing us money.
Yale University vs. The Rest of the World
Whether you have been a resident of New Haven, visited the area, or have frequented the parking authority for various traffic violations; you know the level of class separation that New Haven obtains.
In roughly a twelve mile vicinity you have beautiful Victorian homes, lush public parks, a city like metropolis, a variety of ghettos and public housing, and in the center of this trifecta; Yale University.
Founded in 1701, Yale originally wanted to be separate from the New Haven area, with aspirations of creating its' own private community; where royalty could live on the other side of the gates, while meaningless peasants of SCSU and Albertus Magnus fight $20 parking tickets and steal food from the dining hall to fill our apartments.
I am clearly, not bitter.
Yale students, faculty, and even their janitorial staff possess a certain sense of entitlement; an elitist attitude presented to the rest of the community.
There is a bar between college street and the west end of the campus called Gipsci. It is a beautiful stone building in the center of downtown New Haven, with no windows and literally, a secret door. It is a private club and only for Yale students.
Over the summer they would have live music three nights a week, two dollar Pabst Blue Ribbon cans and three dollar Jameson shots. We all pretended to go to Yale for three months.
I guess the burning question still arises from time to time.. Why are they better than us? What makes these students and residents of "Yale, New Haven" stand out more than the rest?
Aside from the hundred thousand dollar education, being significantly smarter, and mostof the governmental and business leaders of America being direct alumni of this great school...I really can't think of anything else.
I surrender Yale, you win..proceed.
In roughly a twelve mile vicinity you have beautiful Victorian homes, lush public parks, a city like metropolis, a variety of ghettos and public housing, and in the center of this trifecta; Yale University.
Founded in 1701, Yale originally wanted to be separate from the New Haven area, with aspirations of creating its' own private community; where royalty could live on the other side of the gates, while meaningless peasants of SCSU and Albertus Magnus fight $20 parking tickets and steal food from the dining hall to fill our apartments.
I am clearly, not bitter.
Yale students, faculty, and even their janitorial staff possess a certain sense of entitlement; an elitist attitude presented to the rest of the community.
There is a bar between college street and the west end of the campus called Gipsci. It is a beautiful stone building in the center of downtown New Haven, with no windows and literally, a secret door. It is a private club and only for Yale students.
Over the summer they would have live music three nights a week, two dollar Pabst Blue Ribbon cans and three dollar Jameson shots. We all pretended to go to Yale for three months.
I guess the burning question still arises from time to time.. Why are they better than us? What makes these students and residents of "Yale, New Haven" stand out more than the rest?
Aside from the hundred thousand dollar education, being significantly smarter, and mostof the governmental and business leaders of America being direct alumni of this great school...I really can't think of anything else.
I surrender Yale, you win..proceed.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Leave Lady Gaga Alone
Hermaphrodite, man, drug addict, alien, fake. All terms used to describe Lady Gaga's reign over the pop industry for the past four years.
She has been accused of "stealing" Madonna's style; not only vocally, but physically and fashionably as well. Accused of taking pieces of Michael Jackson and Prince to create a wave of musical shock value that hasn't had this much attention since the 80's.
Back off, people. Take a moment to accept the fact that this may just be what we are all not used to; originality and pure genius.
This woman is Julliard-trained, has had consecutive number one singles, three albums that have gone platinum during the first week of record sales, and is intelligent.
Accusations of theft regarding previous artists styles and visions are merely emulation for Lady Gaga. She has openly expressed her love and admiration for Madonna and Michael Jackson, but is clearly much different. She has a voice of epic proportions; something Madonna does not possess. The only similarity between these talented acts is the level of shock value they have provided.
Call her what you want. The reign of Gaga is just at its peak, and nowhere near over.
She has been accused of "stealing" Madonna's style; not only vocally, but physically and fashionably as well. Accused of taking pieces of Michael Jackson and Prince to create a wave of musical shock value that hasn't had this much attention since the 80's.
Back off, people. Take a moment to accept the fact that this may just be what we are all not used to; originality and pure genius.
This woman is Julliard-trained, has had consecutive number one singles, three albums that have gone platinum during the first week of record sales, and is intelligent.
Accusations of theft regarding previous artists styles and visions are merely emulation for Lady Gaga. She has openly expressed her love and admiration for Madonna and Michael Jackson, but is clearly much different. She has a voice of epic proportions; something Madonna does not possess. The only similarity between these talented acts is the level of shock value they have provided.
Call her what you want. The reign of Gaga is just at its peak, and nowhere near over.
Hollywood Has Officially Run out of Ideas
As you may, or may not have seen; the 1980's classic musical, Footloose is being remade and set to release sometime before Halloween.
You mean to tell me the multi billion dollar film corporation couldn't find a group of writers with a unique thought? Instead they have to re make and rip off a classic that is older than the demographic its' targeting?
The Lion King has been "re-released", in 3D, Fame has been re made and re done (with a sexier cast and soundtrack and was originally supposed to be rated R for its' pervasive content). Next, the Ten Commandments will be on IMAX starring Zac Effron as Moses.
These are the movies that are not only selling out the box office, but in 20 years from now, my children (god forbid) are going to consider these abominations classics, and forget the originals even existed.
Come on Hollywood, you are smarter and deeper (I hope) than this! Where is the next Big Chill?
You mean to tell me the multi billion dollar film corporation couldn't find a group of writers with a unique thought? Instead they have to re make and rip off a classic that is older than the demographic its' targeting?
The Lion King has been "re-released", in 3D, Fame has been re made and re done (with a sexier cast and soundtrack and was originally supposed to be rated R for its' pervasive content). Next, the Ten Commandments will be on IMAX starring Zac Effron as Moses.
These are the movies that are not only selling out the box office, but in 20 years from now, my children (god forbid) are going to consider these abominations classics, and forget the originals even existed.
Come on Hollywood, you are smarter and deeper (I hope) than this! Where is the next Big Chill?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Choking on Political Correctness
Martha Warren, please stop crying.
So, in the election for senate in Brown vs Warren, it was leaked that Scott Brown posed nude in a centerfold in Cosmopolitan magazine, thirty years ago, to pay his college tuition. Warren made a funny yet "off handed comment" about keeping her clothes on, and the comical quips went back and forth for a bit.
Guess who got mad? Women. All the activist, feminist, still protesting for womens' rights, women. Forgive me for being brash, but WHEN are you going to stop complaining, or rather, searching for something to label as sexist and inappropriate? We've had women in the White House for god's sakes!
This country is going to suffocate based on our levels of censorship if people don't start "getting over it". God forbid a politician have a sense of humor and crack wise. Don't you remember your drunken college days? I'm certain previous leaders of our great nation took a stand, and in fact, did a keg stand; got rowdy at a strip club, or heaven forbid, got arrested for throwing a frat party.
Scott Brown gives a relatable display for the more humble folk of our society, defending himself and basically saying, "hey man, I needed to pay for school".
Dry your eyes, Martha. Pick your battles.
So, in the election for senate in Brown vs Warren, it was leaked that Scott Brown posed nude in a centerfold in Cosmopolitan magazine, thirty years ago, to pay his college tuition. Warren made a funny yet "off handed comment" about keeping her clothes on, and the comical quips went back and forth for a bit.
Guess who got mad? Women. All the activist, feminist, still protesting for womens' rights, women. Forgive me for being brash, but WHEN are you going to stop complaining, or rather, searching for something to label as sexist and inappropriate? We've had women in the White House for god's sakes!
This country is going to suffocate based on our levels of censorship if people don't start "getting over it". God forbid a politician have a sense of humor and crack wise. Don't you remember your drunken college days? I'm certain previous leaders of our great nation took a stand, and in fact, did a keg stand; got rowdy at a strip club, or heaven forbid, got arrested for throwing a frat party.
Scott Brown gives a relatable display for the more humble folk of our society, defending himself and basically saying, "hey man, I needed to pay for school".
Dry your eyes, Martha. Pick your battles.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Break The Bank
Remember the pink ceramic piggy bank your mother gave you when you were about 10? The one you put your weekly allowance in, the one that tried to teach you the value of "saving money for a rainy day"?
Well it hasn't stopped raining in fifteen years; allowance hasn't been earned since pre adolescence, and the only people still making money in a drought are celebrities and political officials.
If you are a student between the ages of 18-26 you know exactly what it's like to eat three boxes of ramen noodles a day, only have a quarter tank of gas, and always pay your rent on the twelfth of every month. What is a continuous question among us though, is in a society that places such outrageous demands on receiving a level of higher education, why make it virtually unattainable?
I decided to go back to school a year after I got my undergrad, because I felt under qualified and inexperienced for what I was going for. I have limited structure or grammatical knowledge (good thing I was an English major, right?), but good god I have a voice! Now, I pay $7,000 a semester for two classes in an effort to get a tiny piece of paper that says "congratulations, you will still be behind a bar for the next five years". Well I'll be dammed.
In addition to the over-pricing of education, and the social hierarchy breathing down your neck to in fact, go to college, prepare yourself for insurmountable debt for the next 20 years. I spoke to one of my previous classmates over the weekend about this. Josh DeLucca is 23, getting his masters at UNH, has nearly $38,000 in student loans and is a waiter. "I should have just gone to a technical school. A two year program where I could be making close to $30 grand a year sitting at a desk. With benefits".
It's hard to disagree with this statement. This is obviously the more rational, and smarter way to obtain a career, but do you sacrifice your happiness and deplete yourself of the passion and motivation that drove you to schlep chicken parm dinners back and forth through a dining room in an effort to live your dream? No, that is why Josh is still a waiter, that is why Josh will feel complete fulfillment when his dream becomes a reality.
Did you know brick layers earn over $42,000 a year? Isn't that roughly how much Quinnipiac's yearly tuition for undergrad is?
A few warnings and guidelines to consider while spending your time receiving higher education from a university: Depending on your major, be careful what you sign. Beware the hefty course load you tackle, because with bio chemical engineering classes, comes a lot of school supplies. Make sure you always read the fine print on any kind of contract that may hold you responsible to shell out even more money than you already have. Journalism students beware of the video equipment room, the production department, and pretty much the entire technical area of the lender school of business, unless, paying $500 in late fees and fines sounds like your idea of fun.
Andrew Kufta and I had a broadcast journalism class last semester, in which, weekly we would rent video equipment to formulate our news casts. Andrew had a streak of bad luck with one of the cameras and ended up having to buy a new video camera for the department. His Quinnipiac account was put on a hold until he replaced the camera that was already insufficient when he got it the first time. Needless to say to only person who lucked out in this situation was the financial tech at best buy who made about $100 off the commission.
It’s like all students are masochists- glutens for punishment. We know the inevitable outcome of going to a university rather than community college, or not going at all. We understand the price we will be paying off until we are well into our thirties. But what other choice do we have? Society places a high demand on our pre requisites in preparation for the job market, and nothing is free.
Prepare yourself for a bit of stress, weight gain, miller high life, and a neglected piggy bank for the next four years, and remember, there will always be a place for you in the food service industry.
Well it hasn't stopped raining in fifteen years; allowance hasn't been earned since pre adolescence, and the only people still making money in a drought are celebrities and political officials.
If you are a student between the ages of 18-26 you know exactly what it's like to eat three boxes of ramen noodles a day, only have a quarter tank of gas, and always pay your rent on the twelfth of every month. What is a continuous question among us though, is in a society that places such outrageous demands on receiving a level of higher education, why make it virtually unattainable?
I decided to go back to school a year after I got my undergrad, because I felt under qualified and inexperienced for what I was going for. I have limited structure or grammatical knowledge (good thing I was an English major, right?), but good god I have a voice! Now, I pay $7,000 a semester for two classes in an effort to get a tiny piece of paper that says "congratulations, you will still be behind a bar for the next five years". Well I'll be dammed.
In addition to the over-pricing of education, and the social hierarchy breathing down your neck to in fact, go to college, prepare yourself for insurmountable debt for the next 20 years. I spoke to one of my previous classmates over the weekend about this. Josh DeLucca is 23, getting his masters at UNH, has nearly $38,000 in student loans and is a waiter. "I should have just gone to a technical school. A two year program where I could be making close to $30 grand a year sitting at a desk. With benefits".
It's hard to disagree with this statement. This is obviously the more rational, and smarter way to obtain a career, but do you sacrifice your happiness and deplete yourself of the passion and motivation that drove you to schlep chicken parm dinners back and forth through a dining room in an effort to live your dream? No, that is why Josh is still a waiter, that is why Josh will feel complete fulfillment when his dream becomes a reality.
Did you know brick layers earn over $42,000 a year? Isn't that roughly how much Quinnipiac's yearly tuition for undergrad is?
A few warnings and guidelines to consider while spending your time receiving higher education from a university: Depending on your major, be careful what you sign. Beware the hefty course load you tackle, because with bio chemical engineering classes, comes a lot of school supplies. Make sure you always read the fine print on any kind of contract that may hold you responsible to shell out even more money than you already have. Journalism students beware of the video equipment room, the production department, and pretty much the entire technical area of the lender school of business, unless, paying $500 in late fees and fines sounds like your idea of fun.
Andrew Kufta and I had a broadcast journalism class last semester, in which, weekly we would rent video equipment to formulate our news casts. Andrew had a streak of bad luck with one of the cameras and ended up having to buy a new video camera for the department. His Quinnipiac account was put on a hold until he replaced the camera that was already insufficient when he got it the first time. Needless to say to only person who lucked out in this situation was the financial tech at best buy who made about $100 off the commission.
It’s like all students are masochists- glutens for punishment. We know the inevitable outcome of going to a university rather than community college, or not going at all. We understand the price we will be paying off until we are well into our thirties. But what other choice do we have? Society places a high demand on our pre requisites in preparation for the job market, and nothing is free.
Prepare yourself for a bit of stress, weight gain, miller high life, and a neglected piggy bank for the next four years, and remember, there will always be a place for you in the food service industry.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Wild Card..
"There isn't enough alcohol in this"
"What's the cheapest thing you have?"
"Are there free refills?"
These glorious words are something you never want to hear spoken from potenial customers if you work in the food and beverage industry. You might as well take out your wallet, let me examine the cob webs that line the leather rather than cold hard cash, and ask for a cold glass of free water.
Up until recently these were the only things I would hear while working behind a bar in New Haven. Demanding over privelaged brats; leaving me the change from their $4.25 corona.
Look, I know you have a hundred thousand dollar education, and your parents bought you that brand new M5 that you've been showing off to your friends named Brock and Trent, but us peasants behind the bar- who drive a geo prizm and reside across the street from a halfway house, need to keep their electricty on. So, reach back into that new Marc Jacobs wallet of yours, and quietly thank mommy and daddy for supplying you with an account to support your blatant alcoholism.
I'm not trying to pass judgement on these pretentious, un-unique children of privelage, but don't come up to me in a bar on a Friday night- wearing a white jean blazer, and the first words that escape your freshly carmex-ed lips are "what college do you go to? I go to Yale, obviously". What's even more pathetic is that you think you're getting somewhere with comments like this. That picking up women is effortless enough for you because you are a man who continues to buy his way to the top.
If you offered to buy me a drink, in addition to that pompous statement, I'd probably entertain your dullness for longer than an instant. Who knows, that could have been the Friday night that my judgements went beyond compromisable and I'd let you buy my second drink.
Well, I just went way off topic there; back to important matters. For nearly two years I worked at a "brewery" (I use quotations around the word brewery because this Connecticut based, chain restaurant brewed its' own malty substance which consistently embodied the same bland and unremarkable taste- feet). The bar was directly in the center of about four colleges, ergo- we were a college bar, ergo- $350 remained in my checking account.
On a nightly basis, tipsy 21 year old college girls would saunter in, order shots of SoCo and lime and be exasperated at not only the price, but that there wasn't some devistatingly handsome juice pumped dude behind the bar telling them "it was on the house".
Here is something that I am more than certain your parents didn't teach you while growing up in Red Bank, New Jersey; tipping, although still technically not a requirement among patrons of the service industry is always expected. If you have the audacity to ask how expensive something is, you better be able to back it up with 20% or more. I'm not demanding and I am certainly not unrealistic. I understand our country has been experiencing an economic recession and financial trouble, but people will always have money to drink. The more unhappy you are, the more time you are going to spend at your local watering hole. So, Jenny, Britney, Courtney, whatever your name is, next time you decide to grace one of us less fortunates with your presence, make sure you have enough on your debit card to take care of me the way I have continuously taken care of you.
<3 you.
"What's the cheapest thing you have?"
"Are there free refills?"
These glorious words are something you never want to hear spoken from potenial customers if you work in the food and beverage industry. You might as well take out your wallet, let me examine the cob webs that line the leather rather than cold hard cash, and ask for a cold glass of free water.
Up until recently these were the only things I would hear while working behind a bar in New Haven. Demanding over privelaged brats; leaving me the change from their $4.25 corona.
Look, I know you have a hundred thousand dollar education, and your parents bought you that brand new M5 that you've been showing off to your friends named Brock and Trent, but us peasants behind the bar- who drive a geo prizm and reside across the street from a halfway house, need to keep their electricty on. So, reach back into that new Marc Jacobs wallet of yours, and quietly thank mommy and daddy for supplying you with an account to support your blatant alcoholism.
I'm not trying to pass judgement on these pretentious, un-unique children of privelage, but don't come up to me in a bar on a Friday night- wearing a white jean blazer, and the first words that escape your freshly carmex-ed lips are "what college do you go to? I go to Yale, obviously". What's even more pathetic is that you think you're getting somewhere with comments like this. That picking up women is effortless enough for you because you are a man who continues to buy his way to the top.
If you offered to buy me a drink, in addition to that pompous statement, I'd probably entertain your dullness for longer than an instant. Who knows, that could have been the Friday night that my judgements went beyond compromisable and I'd let you buy my second drink.
Well, I just went way off topic there; back to important matters. For nearly two years I worked at a "brewery" (I use quotations around the word brewery because this Connecticut based, chain restaurant brewed its' own malty substance which consistently embodied the same bland and unremarkable taste- feet). The bar was directly in the center of about four colleges, ergo- we were a college bar, ergo- $350 remained in my checking account.
On a nightly basis, tipsy 21 year old college girls would saunter in, order shots of SoCo and lime and be exasperated at not only the price, but that there wasn't some devistatingly handsome juice pumped dude behind the bar telling them "it was on the house".
Here is something that I am more than certain your parents didn't teach you while growing up in Red Bank, New Jersey; tipping, although still technically not a requirement among patrons of the service industry is always expected. If you have the audacity to ask how expensive something is, you better be able to back it up with 20% or more. I'm not demanding and I am certainly not unrealistic. I understand our country has been experiencing an economic recession and financial trouble, but people will always have money to drink. The more unhappy you are, the more time you are going to spend at your local watering hole. So, Jenny, Britney, Courtney, whatever your name is, next time you decide to grace one of us less fortunates with your presence, make sure you have enough on your debit card to take care of me the way I have continuously taken care of you.
<3 you.
The Human Target
It's hunting season.
Apparently there is a governmental hierarchy with a sniper rifle pointed directly on the middle east, awaiting its' next target in an effort to wipe out Al Queda.
Earlier it is was made known that terrorist affiliate, Anwar Al-Walki was killed about 40 miles outside Saudi Arabia by U.S. troops, under the direct order of president Obama.
The government has concrete evidence that this American (yes American) born citizen was not only directly involved with Al Queda, but part of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 as well.
Forgive me, but the fact that Al-Walki was an American born citizen, New Mexico to be exact, opens up a whole new can of constitutional worms.
This American citizen was never awarded due process, a trial, or had the opportunity to wave his Miranda rights and admit to his unspeakable wrong doings; but simply gunned down in his native religious land marking a "milestone" for old glory.
It is understandable that our country feels the need to take action against those who pose as threatening (and have proved to be so), but this is getting mildly out of hand.
There are video game arcades that provide a hunting system called "Buck Hunter", in which the player, uses a plastic hunting rifle to shoot deer one by one gaining a certain number of points per animal killed. I wonder how many points we get for publicly killing an American citizen, and then broadcasting how we are patting ourselves on the back, nationwide.
Game over.
Apparently there is a governmental hierarchy with a sniper rifle pointed directly on the middle east, awaiting its' next target in an effort to wipe out Al Queda.
Earlier it is was made known that terrorist affiliate, Anwar Al-Walki was killed about 40 miles outside Saudi Arabia by U.S. troops, under the direct order of president Obama.
The government has concrete evidence that this American (yes American) born citizen was not only directly involved with Al Queda, but part of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 as well.
Forgive me, but the fact that Al-Walki was an American born citizen, New Mexico to be exact, opens up a whole new can of constitutional worms.
This American citizen was never awarded due process, a trial, or had the opportunity to wave his Miranda rights and admit to his unspeakable wrong doings; but simply gunned down in his native religious land marking a "milestone" for old glory.
It is understandable that our country feels the need to take action against those who pose as threatening (and have proved to be so), but this is getting mildly out of hand.
There are video game arcades that provide a hunting system called "Buck Hunter", in which the player, uses a plastic hunting rifle to shoot deer one by one gaining a certain number of points per animal killed. I wonder how many points we get for publicly killing an American citizen, and then broadcasting how we are patting ourselves on the back, nationwide.
Game over.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
oh em gee.
Salutations!
I decided to take the summer off..
That's a nice way of putting the fact that I was too busy (getting even tanner) to update my blog, once used strictly for my broadcast class, now for my opinion journalism class, and also, for pure enjoyment.
I have decided every week I will post a new "article" in my fake column that I hope to some day have, titled, "My Personal Beef". This will be a weekly rant bursting with witty, snide, and insensitive comments. The first two postings were assignments from my opinion class. Enjoy.
9/19
My Personal Beef With Rolling Stone
To Whom it May Concern:
For over thirty years, Rolling Stone has provided its readers with a fresh, honest and at times ruthless view on American pop culture, while providing history and purpose about its products who grace the cover every issue. However, when did this publication undergo such musical castration? When did it become relevant to put Snooki on the cover, turning my beloved magazine a ghastly shade of orange? And with condensing the size of it in Jann Wenner’s effort to “go green” did you also lose sight of the fact that there is hip hop beyond Lil Wayne, who, may I remind you, is a convicted felon, and refers to himself as a rock star, because he bought a guitar and wears it for show. Excuse me, Dwayne Carter, but you can’t buy rock and roll, you have to be deserving of it. The first Rolling Stone issue I ever picked up and read cover to cover was in 1996, I was in fifth grade. The debut album of Courtney Love’s band, Hole had been released and beaten its way to the front of the rock and roll band wagon for grunge complete with blood, sweat and tears. Not only was I infatuated with the writing style and use of detail that the journalist provided, but the use of imagery created a feeling of closeness for me. From every ripped lace fringe of Love’s baby doll nighty, to the chain smoking and foul language that made the interview seem that much more real. It wasn’t falling at the feet of the celebrities, worshiping them and patting them on the back for the “great job” they’ve done in American media. Courtney Love was no role model, no pillar of the community, and she had no problem expressing that. As an avid reader, I have continuously noticed the “fear” that is apparent in the publication now. Journalists like Hunter S. Thompson, and Lester Bangs created an aura of journalistic mercilessness, with only passion to drive them. They were unafraid of the press, the outcome, or which drunken rock star they would offend because they wrote for themselves and provided fans a sense honesty about the inspirations we love and admire. I miss that. I miss feeling an adrenaline rush while reading an article, I miss hearing what someone like Elliot Smith had to say and feeling personally connected to his words; not that Kim Karsashian in fact does NOT have ass implants. How is that in any way significant or related to music news? I guess, most importantly, I miss the bravery this magazine used to possess. They say once you spay a dog he is never quite the same, loses his luster and alpha-ness. There is still hope for you, Rolling Stone, you just need your mojo back.
10/3
My Personal Beef with the U.S of Laziness
In That Used To Be Us, Tom Friedman writes, “America is in denial, unwilling to accept that it’s been living beyond its means and getting, well, a little lazy”. In America, during a time of economic recession compared to the financial troubles our country endured over 70 years ago, do we feel it is absolutely necessary to spend billions of dollars annually. Whether the spending be on political campaigning, construction, or property tax, Friedman is right, America is living beyond its means. It is as though all we do is complain and create the “woe is me” argument about our monetary troubles, yet who is fighting back? Who is getting up and screaming “America is still the land of opportunity!”
The term “lazy American” is something that is no longer considered taboo, or used sparingly. We live in a generation where importance is placed solely on income and financial standing; as if we are still living in a renaissance era where class separation divides the peasants from royalty. I am 25 years old, have lived on my own for eight years and been 100 percent self sufficient. I have never worked less than 40 hours a week and I try to teach myself the value of our American dollar. However, due to somewhat of a financial cul-de-sac and issues with the New Haven housing department, I have recently moved home, and back in with my mother. I work in a restaurant, in a primarily white, and white collar area of Newtown, where housewives in Ralph Lauren sip cucumber martinis in an effort to escape their seemingly comatose lifestyle. I also, work with a group of people, roughly in my age demographic who simply have their job because “my parents want me to do something”. Tell me, how is that supposed to motivate my generation to provide decent work ethic? Supposedly these are the future leaders of my beautiful country. Lip gloss and cosmopolitans hold more of an importance to these people than the fact that America has had a steady decline of registered voters in my age demographic. It’s not only depressing, but terrifying. I suppose you could place the blame on my generations’ parents. But since when did being a “product of your environment” provide a scapegoat and an excuse to sheer laziness? Just because you come from a wealthy family; where your nanny helped you with your math homework, and your weekly maid cleaned your room and made up your bed, does not justify continuous coddling nationwide. Our expectations for greatness have become less and less.
Tom Friedman refers to himself as a “frustrated optimist” in his efforts to explain how it all went horribly wrong. He takes a more sensible, calmer approach to how our value system and priorities are in shambles. How did America become so in debt, how did we create an enemy within ourselves? Now we have to pay Egypt $2 billion a year just to remain on our side, while everywhere else would rather toss their hands in the air and say “no way man”. Basically, how did we lose sight of the American dream and how did the idea of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, become money, sex, and the pursuit of maserati’s. When did America stop caring about what is really important here? The state and well being of our nation?
There is optimism in here, there is faith. Friedman still is confident in the well being and economic growth of this country, it just needs to re evaluate what is truly important, and motivate itself to get out of this economic slump. Friedman wrote an article discussing the shift in value systems in our country versus China right after 9/11. He had come home and noticed that the steps in front of a political building in D.C had been “under construction” for nearly three months, compromising the walkway and making it virtually impossible to enter the building without a struggle. China undergoes construction on a daily basis, and a similar problem like the one in D.C wouldn’t take longer than eight days to fix. You mean to tell me that because of the lack of values and teamwork within our society, that people would rather “milk the clock” than do a good job in an effort to remain unified? It’s every man for himself, survival of the fittest. Maybe if our country could work together, establish better leadership and swallow our pride, things would be accomplished in not only a timely fashion, but in a united one. If this could happen, our society would become less bitter; less negative and we would be motivated in getting our feet back on the ground.
Before football games, high schools have pep rally’s in an effort to motivate the team. People chant, come together for the same support, and naturally rev the engines of one another. Maybe that’s what Friedman is talking about; have a nationwide pep rally to motivate our once hungry and fearless group of people. Hard is not impossible, we just need a swift kick in the right direction, and we can overcome our complacence.
I decided to take the summer off..
That's a nice way of putting the fact that I was too busy (getting even tanner) to update my blog, once used strictly for my broadcast class, now for my opinion journalism class, and also, for pure enjoyment.
I have decided every week I will post a new "article" in my fake column that I hope to some day have, titled, "My Personal Beef". This will be a weekly rant bursting with witty, snide, and insensitive comments. The first two postings were assignments from my opinion class. Enjoy.
9/19
My Personal Beef With Rolling Stone
To Whom it May Concern:
For over thirty years, Rolling Stone has provided its readers with a fresh, honest and at times ruthless view on American pop culture, while providing history and purpose about its products who grace the cover every issue. However, when did this publication undergo such musical castration? When did it become relevant to put Snooki on the cover, turning my beloved magazine a ghastly shade of orange? And with condensing the size of it in Jann Wenner’s effort to “go green” did you also lose sight of the fact that there is hip hop beyond Lil Wayne, who, may I remind you, is a convicted felon, and refers to himself as a rock star, because he bought a guitar and wears it for show. Excuse me, Dwayne Carter, but you can’t buy rock and roll, you have to be deserving of it. The first Rolling Stone issue I ever picked up and read cover to cover was in 1996, I was in fifth grade. The debut album of Courtney Love’s band, Hole had been released and beaten its way to the front of the rock and roll band wagon for grunge complete with blood, sweat and tears. Not only was I infatuated with the writing style and use of detail that the journalist provided, but the use of imagery created a feeling of closeness for me. From every ripped lace fringe of Love’s baby doll nighty, to the chain smoking and foul language that made the interview seem that much more real. It wasn’t falling at the feet of the celebrities, worshiping them and patting them on the back for the “great job” they’ve done in American media. Courtney Love was no role model, no pillar of the community, and she had no problem expressing that. As an avid reader, I have continuously noticed the “fear” that is apparent in the publication now. Journalists like Hunter S. Thompson, and Lester Bangs created an aura of journalistic mercilessness, with only passion to drive them. They were unafraid of the press, the outcome, or which drunken rock star they would offend because they wrote for themselves and provided fans a sense honesty about the inspirations we love and admire. I miss that. I miss feeling an adrenaline rush while reading an article, I miss hearing what someone like Elliot Smith had to say and feeling personally connected to his words; not that Kim Karsashian in fact does NOT have ass implants. How is that in any way significant or related to music news? I guess, most importantly, I miss the bravery this magazine used to possess. They say once you spay a dog he is never quite the same, loses his luster and alpha-ness. There is still hope for you, Rolling Stone, you just need your mojo back.
10/3
My Personal Beef with the U.S of Laziness
In That Used To Be Us, Tom Friedman writes, “America is in denial, unwilling to accept that it’s been living beyond its means and getting, well, a little lazy”. In America, during a time of economic recession compared to the financial troubles our country endured over 70 years ago, do we feel it is absolutely necessary to spend billions of dollars annually. Whether the spending be on political campaigning, construction, or property tax, Friedman is right, America is living beyond its means. It is as though all we do is complain and create the “woe is me” argument about our monetary troubles, yet who is fighting back? Who is getting up and screaming “America is still the land of opportunity!”
The term “lazy American” is something that is no longer considered taboo, or used sparingly. We live in a generation where importance is placed solely on income and financial standing; as if we are still living in a renaissance era where class separation divides the peasants from royalty. I am 25 years old, have lived on my own for eight years and been 100 percent self sufficient. I have never worked less than 40 hours a week and I try to teach myself the value of our American dollar. However, due to somewhat of a financial cul-de-sac and issues with the New Haven housing department, I have recently moved home, and back in with my mother. I work in a restaurant, in a primarily white, and white collar area of Newtown, where housewives in Ralph Lauren sip cucumber martinis in an effort to escape their seemingly comatose lifestyle. I also, work with a group of people, roughly in my age demographic who simply have their job because “my parents want me to do something”. Tell me, how is that supposed to motivate my generation to provide decent work ethic? Supposedly these are the future leaders of my beautiful country. Lip gloss and cosmopolitans hold more of an importance to these people than the fact that America has had a steady decline of registered voters in my age demographic. It’s not only depressing, but terrifying. I suppose you could place the blame on my generations’ parents. But since when did being a “product of your environment” provide a scapegoat and an excuse to sheer laziness? Just because you come from a wealthy family; where your nanny helped you with your math homework, and your weekly maid cleaned your room and made up your bed, does not justify continuous coddling nationwide. Our expectations for greatness have become less and less.
Tom Friedman refers to himself as a “frustrated optimist” in his efforts to explain how it all went horribly wrong. He takes a more sensible, calmer approach to how our value system and priorities are in shambles. How did America become so in debt, how did we create an enemy within ourselves? Now we have to pay Egypt $2 billion a year just to remain on our side, while everywhere else would rather toss their hands in the air and say “no way man”. Basically, how did we lose sight of the American dream and how did the idea of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, become money, sex, and the pursuit of maserati’s. When did America stop caring about what is really important here? The state and well being of our nation?
There is optimism in here, there is faith. Friedman still is confident in the well being and economic growth of this country, it just needs to re evaluate what is truly important, and motivate itself to get out of this economic slump. Friedman wrote an article discussing the shift in value systems in our country versus China right after 9/11. He had come home and noticed that the steps in front of a political building in D.C had been “under construction” for nearly three months, compromising the walkway and making it virtually impossible to enter the building without a struggle. China undergoes construction on a daily basis, and a similar problem like the one in D.C wouldn’t take longer than eight days to fix. You mean to tell me that because of the lack of values and teamwork within our society, that people would rather “milk the clock” than do a good job in an effort to remain unified? It’s every man for himself, survival of the fittest. Maybe if our country could work together, establish better leadership and swallow our pride, things would be accomplished in not only a timely fashion, but in a united one. If this could happen, our society would become less bitter; less negative and we would be motivated in getting our feet back on the ground.
Before football games, high schools have pep rally’s in an effort to motivate the team. People chant, come together for the same support, and naturally rev the engines of one another. Maybe that’s what Friedman is talking about; have a nationwide pep rally to motivate our once hungry and fearless group of people. Hard is not impossible, we just need a swift kick in the right direction, and we can overcome our complacence.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)